By: Brian G. Chilton, Ph.D. | December 30, 2023
It’s time for the year in review of 2023! 2023 has been a notable year for Bellator Christi. Even though our team was met with distinct challenges throughout the year, particularly with the podcast, it was a year that saw many of our team members graduate with their doctorates. It was also a year that surpassed 2022 in views. In fact, the site had the third-highest views in 2023 when compared to the last seven years of online ministry.
2024 looks to position the ministry with another great year of articles and podcasting. That is not to say that the ministry does not have its problems to face next year. One of the greatest ministry needs is viewing the hosting platform that it’s currently on and evaluating whether it is the best option for our website needs. Be sure to pray for us on that issue. However, the ministry is also set to publish its first collaborative book, the first of many that we hope to provide over the next few years. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the statistics for 2023. Note: We broke these stats into two or three articles last year. This year, we combine them into one.
Top 10 Most Viewed Articles of 2023
1) Family Is Your First Ministry: (-)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2019/03/11/family-is-your-first-ministry/. This reigning all-time most-viewed article yet again topped the charts for another year. However, it was in second place for majority of the year. The article regained its position in the fourth quarter of 2023. This piece shows the great importance that we as believers need to place on the family unit. I am honored that it has blessed so many.[1]
2) Why Did Paul Persecute the Christians? (Johnson): (-)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/02/27/why-did-paul-persecute-the-christians/. Dr. Michelle Johnson’s masterful response to a question posed to Bellator Christi set new records this year. It was the first time in four years that an article topped “Family is Your First Ministry.” Johnson’s article nearly took the top spot. With the continued views this fantastic work received this year, I imagine that it will be a serious contender for the top article of 2024.
3) The Christmas Tree and Biblical Symbolism of the Evergreen: (n/a)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/12/23/the-christmas-tree-and-biblical-symbolism-of-the-evergreen/. Like Dr. Johnson’s article “Why Did Paul Persecute the Christians,” this article was a late 2022 addition to the website. It is so new that it leads the list of Top 10 New Articles of the Year. This article picked up a great deal of traction in the third and fourth quarters of 2023, so much so that it led in total views for a couple of months. In an age where everything under the sun is seen as pagan, this article is a reminder of the biblical symbolism of a cherished Christmas decoration.
4) 5 Signs of a False Shepherd: (+11)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/11/27/5-signs-of-a-false-shepherd/. This mini-article accompanied an old podcast that aired in 2016 on BlogTalkRadio. Seeing that this piece received as much viewership as it did in 2023, an update to the article might be in order sometime next year. The “5 Signs” article did not make the Top 10 list in 2022, but it skyrocketed some 11 places to make this year’s fourth most-viewed article of 2023.
5) 8 Reasons Why the Shroud of Turin Might Be the Burial Cloth of Jesus: (+3)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2017/04/18/8-reasons-why-the-shroud-of-turin-might-be-the-burial-cloth-of-jesus/. This is another article that might need an update. Recent data has only strengthened the case for the Shroud of Turin being the possible burial cloth of Jesus. Look for more to come on this exciting topic around Easter of 2024.
6) Ten Divine Attributes of the Messiah: (-)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2017/12/05/ten-divine-attributes-of-the-messiah/. The divinity of the Messiah is an important topic. And you, our viewers, must have thought so, too. This article made the top ten list again in 2023. We hope you continue to find fruit from this exploration into the divine nature of Jesus.
7) The Christmas Story in the Gospel of John: (-4)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2015/12/24/the-christmas-story-in-the-gospel-of-john/. Many may be shocked to know that the Gospel of John mentions a few things about the incarnation of Christ. The “Christmas Story in the Gospel of John” speaks to that very issue. While the article made the top 10 list again this year, it lost 4 spots to make the seventh most-viewed article of the year.
8) Voltaire’s Prediction, Home, and the Bible Society: Truth or Myth? (Merritt): (-3)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2019/03/18/voltaires-prediction-home-and-the-bible-society-truth-or-myth/. Dr. Dan Merritt’s classic historical evaluation of the validity of the story surrounding Voltaire and the Bible Society continues to maintain a great deal of footing on the website. Since it was first released, Merritt’s most-viewed article continues to make the top 10 list. With the tight competition among the various articles on this list, “Voltaire’s Prediction” lost three spots to assume the eighth-place position.
9) The Quality of God’s Mercy (Numbers 14:18–19): (-5)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/05/05/qualities-of-gods-mercy-numbers-1418-19/. The “Quality of God’s Mercy” continues to make the top 10 list. Like “Voltaire’s Prediction,” it dropped five spots this year to assume the ninth position. This makes the second article on this year’s list that was inspired by a sermon that was delivered.
10) 7 Questions the Bible Answers about Miracles: (-)
https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/05/09/7-questions-the-bible-answers-about-miracles/. Reassuming the tenth position again this year, “7 Questions the Bible Answers about Miracles” continues to find a home among the most viewed articles of the year. If you haven’t read the piece, as the name implies, it offers biblical perspectives on the issue of miracles and why you should believe in God’s power.
Top 10 Most Viewed New Articles of 2023
The articles in this section are those that were posted from December 2022 through November of this year. Thus, these articles are the most popular among those that were recently published.
1) Christmas Tree and Biblical Symbolism (Chilton):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/12/23/the-christmas-tree-and-biblical-symbolism-of-the-evergreen/. Chilton’s article looked into the symbolism of the evergreen in the Bible. He showed that the evergreen relates to various theological allegories and is not as pagan as some have accused.
2) Four Levels of Demonic Influence (Chilton):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/05/05/four-levels-of-demonic-influence/. Chilton’s article peers into the world of demonic influence. He shows that while demons cannot possess believers, they can oppress them severely.
3) Summary of “On the Incarnation” (Bogacz):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/12/24/summary-of-on-the-incarnation/. Just in time for Christmas, Bogacz elegantly summarized On the Incarnation, a classic work by Athanasius of Alexandria. Athanasius was the great defender of Christian orthodoxy who opposed Arius of Alexandria at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.
4) The Shepherd Metaphor Spotlights the Character of God (Huff):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/03/12/shepherd-metaphor-character-of-god/. Dr. Deanna Huff examines the shepherd motif in Ancient Near Eastern literature along with the biblical narratives. She exposes the great power that this motif holds in a masterfully written piece.
5) The Case for the Eternal Cosmic Observer (Chilton):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/01/22/the-case-for-an-eternal-cosmic-observer/. New evidence suggests that certain particles in the quantum world are impacted by the viewership of a conscious observer. Some of these particles do not operate unless they are observed. This begs the question, who observed these particles before sentient beings first arrived on earth? Thus, Chilton argues that quantum mechanics argues for an eternal cosmic Observer—that is, God.
6) The Amarna Letters (Reynolds):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/08/06/the-amarna-letters/. Archaeologist and theologian Scott Reynolds discusses a group of letters called the Amarna Letters. He shows how these letters impact our understanding of the early Hebrews, the Exodus, and the conquest. Be sure to check out this fascinating read.
7) Trying to Make Sense of Evil and Suffering (Angelos):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/02/05/trying-to-make-sense-of-evil-and-suffering/. Utah native Justin Angelos gives us a glimpse into the philosophical world of theodicy—that is, why does a good, loving God allow a world full of evil? Angelos offers good reasons why bad may come while looking through the lens of the cross.
8) Biblical Archaeology and Apologetics (Price):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/04/17/biblical-archaeology-and-apologetics/. Dr. Bruce Price explores why biblical archaeology is so critically important for apologetics. He grants several pieces of archaeology that intensify the validity of certain biblical stories.
9) Seven Reasons Why Every Christian Should Study Islam (Khouri):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/10/22/seven-reasons-why-every-christian-should-study-islam/. Dr. Sherene Khouri was born into a region that was greatly impacted by Islam. In this offering, she notes why believers should study the beliefs of Islam.
10) Tied: Metaphysical Apologetics (Williams):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/01/29/metaphysical-apologetics/. Two Illinois natives tied for the tenth spot. Tony Williams was the first. He examines the importance that metaphysics holds for Christian intellectualism.
10) Tied: Amazing Grace? (Gentry):
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/03/05/amazing-grace/. Dr. T. J. Gentry wrote the second tenth-place article. With a twist on the classic hymn, Gentry argues that God’s enabling grace is truly amazing. That’s why we call it “Amazing Grace.”
Top 10 Nations Viewing the Website in 2023
Finally, we complete our yearly review with a glimpse at which nations most frequently accessed our resources at Bellator Christi in 2023.
1) United States of America (-).
It is of no surprise that Bellator Christi’s homeland leads the path for the views in 2023. The good ol’ US of A leads the pack in this year’s list, just as it did last year.
2) Philippines (-).
Our friends from the Philippines remain strong supporters of Bellator Christi Ministries. Again, this year, they were the highest non-American nation to view our resources. Salamat, Philippines!
3) Nigeria (-).
Like our friends from the Philippines, our Nigerian friends also continue to access our resources regularly. As in 2022, Nigeria maintained the third spot for the highest number of viewers. A big e se, Nigeria!
4) United Kingdom (+1).
On a recent Ancestry test, I was shown to have strong ties to Kent, England. In fact, my family likely resided in Kent for several hundreds of years. I am feeling the British spirit for the Union Jack, as our views in the UK increased to place them in the fourth spot for 2023. To our friends in the Motherland, we thank you!
5) Canada (+1).
Oh, Canada, we certainly stand in pride for thee. Our northern neighbors continue to be strong allies of Bellator Christi Ministries, so much so that they increased from sixth to fifth place in 2023. What could be better, eh?
6) Australia (-2).
Our mates from down under continue to support the ministry. Unfortunately, their standing in the top 10 decreased two spots to sixth spot. But no worries, maties. We love ya, Australia!
7) India (-).
Shukriya, India! You continue to show your strong support of Bellator Christi Ministries, and we are truly thankful. India again resumed a top 10 spot in the 2023 list at the seventh position.
8) South Africa (-).
Like India, South Africa remains a continued supporter of Bellator Christi. We thank you, South Africa! Dankie!
9) Ghana (-).
Three African nations top this year’s top 10 list. The third is the Western African nation of Ghana. As in 2022, Ghana secured the ninth spot in this year’s top 10 listing. Me da wo ase, Ghana!
10) Indonesia (+3).
Give it up for Indonesia! They increased from 13th last year, tying with Germany, to the top ten list this year. Our German friends decreased to the 16th spot this year. No worries, Germany, we still love you. To our Indonesian friends, we say, “Terima kasih,” and we are appreciative of your support.
Another interesting note of interest concerning the outreach of Bellator Christi is that we reached all but 11 nations in 2023. Pray for us as we hope to reach even more in 2024.
Keep us in your prayers as we continue to take Christian truth into the arena of ideas.
Love and blessings,
Dr. Brian Chilton, Founder and President of Bellator Christi Ministries.
Notes
[1] Articles that don’t list an author in this section came from me, Brian Chilton.
(c) 2023. Bellator Christi.
